Heartburn (Reflux) (cont.)

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

Bhupinder S. Anand, MBBS, MD, DPHIL (OXON)

Dr. Anand received MBBS degree from Medical College Amritsar, University of Punjab. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the Postgraduate Institute of medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. He was trained in the field of Gastroenterology and obtained the DPhil degree. Dr. Anand is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.

How is heartburn diagnosed?

Often all that a health care professional requires is a thorough history and
physical to make the preliminary diagnosis of heartburn. To evaluate if there is
any damage and how severe your heartburn is, the doctor my suggest some of the
following tests:

Endoscopy: A flexible scope is passed down the esophagus to examine the
esophagus as well as the stomach. Biopsies can be taken if indicated. This lets
the doctor see if there is any obvious damage, and also eliminate other reasons
for the patient's symptoms (foreign body, malignancy).

Upper GI series
(upper GI series): After drinking a liquid that coats the
inside of the digestive tract, X-rays are taken. These X-rays will show the
outline of the digestive system.

Ambulatory pH testing: This test measures the acidity in the esophagus via a
small tube that goes through the nose into the stomach.